Explore "Tower of the Sun museum" plus Osaka highlights
Joined 2017
First, this tour takes you to "Tower of the Sun museum" built at the time of EXPO 70 and was renewed in 2018 as a permanent facility. The inside is a spectacular art space with "Tree of Life" created by Taro Okamoto. Actually this tree shows the evolution of life from ameba to human being. Strongly recommended to see the this tower as a hidden gem.
Then you will visit highlights of Osaka as Osaka castle and Dotombori. With all visiting these spots, you will be filled with satisfaction.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel in Osaka
- In the lobby
Tower of the Sun
Explore the inside of the tower and see the "Tree of Life".
Lunch
Osaka castle
See outside and inside of the castle
Dotombori
Enjoy the area of foods and view spots
Ending Point
Your hotel or any requested place
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guiding fee, hotel pick up in central Osaka
your transportation, entrance fee, lunch
Tour Important Information
* Basically public transportation as subway and local train are used. Taxi can be used upon request.
* The tour includes around 6 Kilometers' walk.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
This tour is not available on all days in August.
Important message from the supplier
In case you want to book my tour for two or more consecutive days, please send me a message in advance.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2017
About Tour Guide Rick I.
My nick name is Rick and Japanese name is Ryoichi. I was born and grew up in Kyoto. Kyoto has so many sightseeing spots based on its 1000 year history. I will propose you the "must see" spots from local eyes not only temples & shrines but also alternative side of Kyoto. As Kyoto certified English guide, I will guide you with high hospitality for your satisfactory stay in Kyoto.
1. For the first visitors
I will prepare the tour with selection out of the spots as Nijo-castle, Imperial Palace, Nishiki-market, Gion amusement quarter, Arashiyama area and some temples and shrines of World Cultural Heritage Sites based on your request and taste.
2. For the visitors who want to see more spots than regular tours
I will prepare some unique tours like visiting Fushimi area for Sake brewery and riding classical boat, visiting some traditional handicrafts ateliers, enjoying traditional performing art, etc.
Please make any inquiry for your preferred type of Kyoto guiding without hesitation. I would be happy to propose you with the type of tour that makes your visit in Kyoto unforgettable one.
Credentials:
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (EN01767)
Kyoto City Licensed English Guide (EN00004)
2nd Grade of the licensing examination on knowledge of Kyoto history & culture
Reviews
“Personable and informative guide - Rick”
Rick led and guided us to the key sites with useful information. He was patient, personable and engaging. He knew the ground and communicated clearly in English. He was flexible and helpful with additional information for the rest of our stay in Kyoto. Definitely recommend Rick to anyone or group visiting Kyoto.
Rick I.
Dear Kenneth, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour. All of your families are so nice and it was my pleasure helping you. I think the nice autumnal season continues, so please enjoy the rest of your days in Japan. Rick
Fiona H.
Kyoto customized tour for Fiona H on Dec. 18, 2024
Customized
“An informative and enjoyable tour of Kyoto's highlights with a kind and knowledgable guide”
Rick guided us on two tours, first to see Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and Nishiki Markets, then the second to Kiyomizudera temple, sights around Gion, and Kenninji temple. We really appreciated Rick's passion for both the history and culture of Kyoto. His knowledge was invaluable at every site, but especially at Nijo Castle and Kenninji temple. In fact for me, Nijo Castle was a highlight due to learning about the history of the shogun there and the meaning of the paintings and architecture. Rick was also armed with a folder of pictures to explain the locations further, so we could compare the old vistas with those of today or understand the detail of the construction methods, which are extremely impressive, not only for their scale but for surviving earthquakes and the centuries. Rick is also a kind and considerate guide. I had already worn my feet out in Tokyo (lots of standing!), and Rick regularly guided us to seats which allowed me to pace myself. He also suggested an excellent local ramen restaurant for lunch after our second tour, conveniently located near our next destination. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Rick and happily recommend him to anyone seeking a courteous and informative guide to Kyoto. Thank you, Rick, for making our visit a pleasure.
Rick I.
Dear Fiona, Thank you very much for posting so nice review for me. I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tours with me using the picture folders. Thanks for your suggestion, we enjoyed the early morning Kiyomizu temple and also having Ramen after the tour. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan. Rick
Marian T.
Customized Kyoto highlight tour for Marian T. on Oct. 7, 2024
Customized
“Great Guide”
Rick did an awesome job showing us around Kyoto, we loved it.
Rick I.
Dear Marian, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad that you enjoyed the tour. We had nice conversation during the tour and it is my nice memory with you. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan and you will come back sometime in future. Best regards, Rick
$341/ per group
More tours by Rick I.
Half Day Kyoto highlights tour plus optional Maiko dinner
By joining this tour, you can enjoy main 3 sightseeing spots of Kyoto in around 5 hours. After that you have an option to join Maiko dinner which you can enjoy Japanese cuisine and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) traditional performance in around 2 hours. This tour does not include the time for lunch.
Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
This course has four choices. Please select one of the four courses shown below. Rick will guide you deep inside the Kyoto history, culture, tradition and nature in each course. Each course can be customized upon your request as far as possible. Every course has spectacular spots which will satisfy you with visiting Kyoto!
Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
The summer in Kyoto is so hot, especially in the afternoon. This is a 4-hour tour which starts at 7:30 AM (or 8:00) for avoiding the heat in the afternoon. The visiting spots are mainly in forests or indoor. Highly recommended to choose this tour from later July to Middle of September. Upon request, I will take you to a nice local Japanese restaurant for lunch without any extended guiding fee.
In Depth Analysis of Nijo castle plus Kyoto highlights
Nijo castle is not just an old castle but it is a great showcase of Japanese art, history and architecture. I will explain deep inside of this it taking double time including some secret stories, latest academic findings and so on which are not described in any guide book or online information. After that, we will visit Kyoto Imperial Palace where had been emperor's resident for hundreds years. Finally the tour finishes visiting Nishiki food market which has been said as "Kitchen of Kyoto."
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Osaka
Perfect Trip in Osaka
There are many interesting and exciting places to visit in Osaka. But it might take at least a few days to visit all the popular places. So I chose the best places to visit in Osaka and I will take you to all in 1 day!! You will enjoy the culture and history and food of Osaka. And I'm sure that you will be in love with Osaka by the end of the tour ;)
Osaka : OLD & NEW Tour 6 hours
Firstly, you will visit Osaka Castle. The castle was built in the late16th century during the medieval ages. After learning about the Warring State Times in Japan, you will visit The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living to see and feel how the people in Osaka lived in the 1830s. On the contrary to visiting a few historic places besides Tenmangu Shrine as “Old”, we will visit Dotonbori Area, as “New”, representing modern times in the Southern part of Osaka.
Tour of Osaka-jo Castle
(Highlights) The present castle building looks beautiful, powerful and in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment. However, it was the venue of hegemony, bloody conflicts and natural disasters for many centuries. Once you visit the castle, you will be amazed at the magnificent structures, huge moats and the beautiful natural environment. The view from the top of the eight-storied donjon is splendid. You can reach there either by going up the steep stairways or taking an elevator ride. The castle is in the heart and the landmark of Osaka city, where many modern buildings stand. (How to enjoy) You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the one-kilometer road leading to the castle after you get off the train and, once inside the precincts, you cannot spare even a moment without marveling at the sight of an ancient technology and human wisdom, as well as the huge rocks building up the protection walls. Not only seeing the buildings, you can also sit on the grass and enjoy having lunch with your family members or friends. (Others) The entrance fee is 600 yen per person and the JR Osaka Loop Line train fare is 300 yen for the ride from Osaka to Osaka-jo-koen station. The fare for the ride between Kyoto and Osaka, meanwhile, is 510 yen.
Half-day Spiritual Tour in Temple Town, Osaka
Visit an image of paradise in this world and the afterlife. Osaka began around the 7th century when the Imperial Palace and the Temple were built on the hill. In the Middle Ages, aristocrats believed that the paradise (Pure Land of Buddha) of the afterlife was beyond the setting sun, and built hermitages for Sunset Meditation. Time passed, and merchants enjoyed the performing arts in a paradise-like entertainment zone below the hill. Movie Palace was also built, and the slopes became locations.
